Position Summary: The Product Return Associate is responsible for receiving, inspecting, and processing returned finished goods from customers, e-commerce channels, and internal operations. This role ensures all returned products are accurately evaluated, sorted, and recorded in the Warehouse Management System (WMS) in accordance with quality, inventory, safety, and expiration guidelines. The associate works closely with Quality, Inventory Control, and Operations teams to determine proper product disposition, maintains an organized and safe returns area, and follows all company policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and warehouse safety standards. The Product Return Associate may also support general warehouse operations as needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Receive, verify, and process finished goods returns from customers, e-commerce or others.

Physically inspect returned products to determine condition (restock, repackage, repair, quarantine, or disposal).

Sort and classify returned items according to expiration date, quality, inventory, and safety guidelines.

Accurately record all returns in the Warehouse Management System (WMS).

Coordinate with Quality, Inventory Control, and Operations teams to ensure proper disposition of returned products.

Label and relocate approved products to designated areas for picking or further processing.

Ensure all returns comply with internal policies, customer requirements, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Maintain a clean, organized, and safe returns area in compliance with 5S and safety standards.

Identify and report damages, discrepancies, shortages, or process issues to the immediate supervisor.

Follow all warehouse safety rules and material handling procedures.

Support internal inventory audits related to product returns.

Assist with basic reporting on return volumes and common root causes.

Provide support in general warehouse operations when required (picking, packing, cycle counts).

Operate material handling equipment such as pallet jacks or forklifts (if certified).

Steel toe or composite closed-toe shoes (protective safety footwear) are required in select business units.

Must be able to meet predictable attendance and punctuality expectations and physical demands of the position complying with Ethnix Group’s policies and performance expectations.

Organizational Responsibilities:

Follows established policies and procedures by monitoring and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, organizational standards, and operational processes related to area(s) of responsibility and reporting violations or infractions to appropriate individual(s).

Practices proper safety techniques in accordance with Company, warehouse, and departmental policies, procedures, and standards by immediately reporting any mechanical or electrical equipment malfunctions, employee/visitor injuries or accidents, or other safety issues to appropriate individual(s).

Identifies areas for improvement and offers suggestions to improve the site's efficiency, profitability, and productivity.

Keeps abreast of current changes in technology, logistics tools, processes, and standards within the industry and area(s) of responsibility by attending internal and external training programs and by accessing other sources of information, and applies knowledge and practices to area(s) of responsibility.

Work Hours (may vary by state or location):

This position is scheduled for 40 hours in a regular work week. Hours of operation vary by site and shift. Must be available to work on weekends when scheduled and must be able to perform the essential job functions unaccompanied.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience:

• Highschool Diploma or GED.

• Warehouse and/or distribution work related experience a plus.

• Experience using a motorized pallet jack preferred.

• Motorized pallet jack certified preferred.

Language Ability:

Demonstrated ability to read, write, and communicate effectively to comprehend and complete documents, and answer questions in English. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence as needed.

Math Ability:

Demonstrated mathematical skills necessary to add, subtract, multiply, and divide numbers, decimals, and fractions, and calculate percentages.

Reasoning Ability:

Demonstrated ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Computer Skills:

Demonstrated proficiency in software and able to use WMS and related software’s (office).

Certificates and Licenses:

Motorized pallet jack certified preferred.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This job does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment:

The work environmental characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

This role may require time spent in various work environments, including:

Incumbents may work in temperature-controlled areas, such as coolers and freezers, as well as non-climate-controlled sections of the warehouse where airflow and temperature may fluctuate throughout the day. Some areas are not air-conditioned, and temperatures can vary widely based on the season. Work includes regular exposure to powered industrial equipment including stand-up forklifts, order pickers, turret trucks, and mobile carts. The environment may be loud and requires use of safety gear including steel-toe shoes and visibility vests.

This position requires adaptability, situational awareness, and consistent use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) where applicable.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, type, handle or feel objects, talk, and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms, climb, stoop, and squat. The employee is intermittently required to sit. Incumbents must be able to physically access all exterior and interior parts of the warehouse and amenities.

Must be able to push, pull, lift, carry, or maneuver weights of up to fifty (50) pounds independently and one hundred (100) pounds with assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Routine, local travel may be required to attend training classes, conduct market research, or other situations necessary for the accomplishment of some or all of the daily responsibilities of this position.

Understanding of Job Essentials:

ETHNIX Group is a drug free, harassment free workplace. All candidates must pass an extensive background check. Ethnix Group is an equal opportunity employer and does not tolerate harassment, discrimination or retaliation.

I understand that all pre-employment screening activities are conducted in compliance with federal and state employment laws. Background checks are completed during the post- offer stage of the employment process in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act requirements.

I also fully understand the content of this job description, have had the opportunity to ask questions regarding this job description, and have had the job duties and responsibilities, requisites, and physical demands and working conditions explained to me. I am capable of performing the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation. If I need accommodation, I will ask the hiring manager for it.

The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.

Ethnix Group is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.